Crane controlling system



Fan. 1, 1946. GiCLAY 2,391,881

CRANE CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed June 3, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l CRANE CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed June 5, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 :1 55: 421 l O a f I w 6 r a I 4? & i 4@ 2:47 N 4 i2? A 4a jzwzzr Jfizwrfi/cg Jan. 1, 1946'. M. G. CLAY 2,391,881

CRANE CONTROLLING SYSTEM Filed June 3, 1944 4Sheets-Sheet 5 M. G. CLAY CRANE CONTROLLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 1, 1946.

Filed June 3, 1944 all 2 Patented Jan. 1, 1946 CRANE CONTROLLING SYSTEM Murray G. Clay, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 3, 1944, Serial No. 538,593

18 Claims.

This invention relates in general to crane control including both the apparatus and a new and improved system for operating cranes. The invention comprises a single control lever and operating connections between the lever and three different crane motors for moving the lifting hook of the crane in accordance with the direction of movement of the lever.

Heretofore cranes have been provided with thre separate controls located in three difierent positions and having practically no relation in their movement to the motion of the crane hook. It has therefore been necessary to develop skill through long training and experience to obtain a good crane operator, particularly for high speed performance.

An important object of the present invention is in combining the control of all crane movements in a single lever which may be operated by one hand, the control system being located and arranged so that th direction of movement of the crane hook is the same as that of the control lever.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a controlling system operated by a single lever in which the speed of travel of the crane hook is proportional to the deflection of the control lever with an automatic return to neutral or oil position when released.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a crane controlling system and apparatus for independent or combined control of the three crane motors normally used which are responsive to the direction and magnitude of movement of a single control lever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for logical control of the speed and direction of lifting crane hooks which may be substituted for arbitrary and illogical crane and controlling systems and apparatus, thus shortening the operator training time, and producing more eilicient crane performance with less skilled personnel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a. crane operating system and apparatus which is generally of new and improved construction and arrangement, and is characterized by simplicity of design as well as case and facility of use and assembly.

Other objects of the invention and various advantages and characteristics of the present crane system and apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel RHSSUED SEP a 1946 features which are hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure andin which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a three motor electric traveling crane embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view f a single control lever and its enclosing casing, for operating the three crane motors;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of one of the control switches;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the control circuits for three different motors operated by a single lever;

Figure 6 is a plan view with parts in section illustrating a modification of the control levers and parts for overhead lever operation;

Figure '7 illustrates the location of the apparatus of Figure 6 in a crane controlling cage; and

Figure 8 is a detail elevational view partly in section illustrating the operation of the control lever in the apparatus of Figure 6.

In a crane of this type, one motor is operated for raising and lowering of the hook; a second motor causes travel of the carriag with respect to the bridge; and a. third motor eifects travel of the bridge on the side rails. The operating connections in the present invention are so designed and arranged that when the single operating lever is raised or shifted upwardly, raising of the hook is effected; when the lever is shifted downwardly, the hook is lowered; when the lever is moved sidewise in one plane but from a central normally inoperative position to either of two opposite operative positions, corresponding travel of the carriage on the bridge is effected; and when the lever is shifted sidewise at right angles thereto, travel of the bridge upon its supporting rails is effected. Independent or combined control of the three motors may therefore be obtained by a movement of the lever in three dimensions such that the direction of movement of the lever determines the direction of movement of the crane hook, and the speed of movement of the hook is proportional to the amount of deflection of the lever in any direction or directions.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a crane bridge ll of any well known type is provided at its ends with wheels H mounted on rails l2 for moving the crane transversely of its length. This is effected by gearing I3 in connection with the wheels and with a longitudinal drive shaft l4 suitably connected by reduction gearing to a driving motor IS. A wheeled carriage I6 is mounted for longitudinal movement on top of the bridge, being propelled by a driving motor II and a suitable reduction gearing I8 connected to the wheels. Also mounted in the carriage I6 is hoisting mechanism l9 operated by an electric motor 26 for raising and lowering a crane hook 2| by means of a cable 22.

Each 01' the three motors may be operated separately to move the crane hook to and fro in any of the corresponding three dimensions; any two or all three 01' the motors may be energized to move the hook simultaneously in two or three dimensions, and a single lever 23 is provided with controlling connections for operating any one, two or three of the motors in a direction to move the crane hook in the same direction or directions that the control lever is moved, the speed of movement of the hook in any dimension or directions being dependent upon the amount of deflection of the control lever in that particular direction or in the corresponding directions.

The control lever 23 is preferably mounted in a casing 24 located in an operator's cage 23 depending from one end of the bridge It.

At the outer end of the lever is a hand knob 26 by which it is engaged and moved within the casing and projecting from the casing to a position near the end of the lever is an arm rest 21 so that the knob 26 may be grasped by the hand and the lever raised or lowered with the operators arm supported by the rest 27.

Surrounding the lever near its outer end is a flexible dust seal 26 of rubber or simflar material secured to the lever by a clamping ring 29 and about the upper edge of casing 24 by a clamping ring 34. The flexible seal permits the tree movement of the lever in three dimensions of movement, but secured at the top of the casing is a rigid ring 3| having an inner aperture which limits the movement of the lever in opposite ditudinally thereof.

Connected to the lever 23 from four sides of the casing are coil springs 32, each secured at one end to the lever and at the outer end to a tensioning screw 33 which extends through the wall of the casing and has a lock nut 34 at the outside for holding the screw adjustably in place. These springs 32 tend to centralize the lever within the casing and also assist in returning it from endwise movement in either direction.

At the, inner end of the lever 23, it is threaded into a fitting 35 having a flange 36 connected by fastening devices 31 to the inner periphery of a flexible plate or diaphragm 38 formed by a central perforation 39. The outer marginal edge of the plate whether round or square is secured to supports 40 having a fixed position in the easing 24 by means of fastening screws 4!, or other suitable fastening means. This plate is of flexible material such as metaLstifi rubber or rubberlike material or a plastic and tends to maintain the lever 23 in a predetermined position.

Mounted in the casing upon a transverse pivot 42 is a lever 43 preferably in the form of a bell crank having a lower horizontal arm 44 and an upper vertical arm 45. A contact knob 46 is adjustably threaded at the end of the arm 44- I ,rections from the central position but not longiin a position to engage the lower surface of the fitting 35 and to be centered by the central perforation of the fitting. Below the horizontal arm 44 and extending between it and the bottom 01' the casing 24 is a coil spring 41 which is centered at the casing end by a projection 46 therein and at the end of the arm by a threaded nut or disc 49 secured to the projecting threaded end of the knob 46. The arrangement is such that the spring 41 together with the flexible disc or diaphragm 38 and the springs 32 tend to hold thelever 23 in a normally centered upright position in the casing with the diaphragm 36 in substantially level position and with the arm ot the lever 43 in substantially upright position. The lever 23 may be moved upwardly or downwardly from this position, thereby rocking the arm 46 to one side or the other of its vertical position. If lever 23 is moved above its normal position, spring 41 will cause the knob 46 to follow the diaphragm 38, thereby rocking lever 43 accordingly and moving arm 45 to the right of its mid-position.

Secured to the control lever 23 at a distance above the lower end is a contact sleeve 50 pref erably having four opposite flattened surfaces 5|. Four sets of electrical switches are mounted opposite each other in pairs defining the opposite dimensions of a plane, each switch being preferably of a type as shown in Figure 4, comprising a receptacle 52 having insulated terminals 63 and 54 mounted therein and projecting through the bottom of the receptacle, one of the terminals carrying a spring conductor blade with a contact 66 normally out of engagement with a contact 51 carried by the other terminal.

Secured at the outer side of the contact blade 65 is an insulating contact block 56 engaged by the head 59 of a contact pin 66 extending slidably through a cover 6| for the receptacle having a recess 62 therein for seating one end of a spring 63 surrounding the outer end 0! the contact pin, and also seating the inner end of a push button shell 64 secured to the outer end of the pin 66, as by threading it therein and engaging the outer end of the spring 63. The action of this push button switch is that engagement of the shell 64 depresses the pin 60,'closing the contacts .56 and 51, and allows a continued and further depression of the push button still maintaining the contacts in engagement. Conductor wires are suitably connected to the outer ends of the terminals fo each switchfor making the proper circuit connections in the controlling system.

The electric control switches are arranged in sets at opposite sides of the control lever and in positions to be engaged progressively and in succession' as the lever is inclined in one direction or the other or in a combination of directions. In the present invention,'three switches are included in each set, those at oneside of the lever as shown in Figure 2 being. designated in N-l, N 2 and N-3 and those at the opposite side being correspondingly designated 8-1, 8-2 and S3. The svn'tches of each set are arranged to be operated progressively or in succession by 'extending the contact shells accordingly or by locating the switches at, different distances from the lever so that as the lever is inclined, it will first engage No. l of the set, then No. 2 and No. 3 in order, still maintaining contact with the switches first operated.

In the same manner, switch sets E I, andand W-I, W2 and W-3are mounted at right angles to the N-S switches for similar engagement by the operating lever 23.

accuser upon the downward or upward movement of the.

lever 28 as transmitted through the operating lever 49.

This invention is shown diagrammatically as applied to three-phase induction motors oi the variable speed slip ring type, each provided with brushes contacting the slip rings connected to variable external resistances for speed variation. There are three separate motors designated I5, I1 and 20, all similarly connected through their corresponding control switches and all connected to the same three phase power supply mains 85, 88 and 81. Each of the three motors has the same struction and connections and the detailed description of the operation 01' one motor will sufiice for each of the three.

Each motor has a stator 88 represented by the three connected windings, and a rotor 89 represented as having three connected slip ring conductors 10, 1| and 12. In the circuit with conductor are resistances 10I, 10-2; in circuit with conductor II are resistances 1I--I and 1I-2; and connected with conductors 12 are resistances 12-4 and 12-2, and the three conductors are joined by conductor 13 and arranged to common ground 14. When the rotor is started,

all the resistances are in series with their respective windings and to increase th speed of the motor, an electromagnetic switch A is provided having a winding 15 for energizing the switch and closing the contacts thereof through conductors 18, 11 and 18, to short circuit resistances 10-2, 1I-2, and 12--2. Likewise another electromagnetic switch 13 is provided having an energizing winding 19 for closing circuits through conductors 80, 8| and 82 to conductors 10, H and 12 respectively. short circuiting resistances 10I, 1I-I, and 12I through the ground conductor 13 and ground conducto 14. The windings of stator 88 receive current through conductors 83, 84 and 85 from the current supply mains 85, 88 and 81 to impel the motor in one direction or the other depending upon whether-electromagnetic switch C or D is closed. Switch C has an energizing coil 880 for connecting the stator conductors through conductors 88, 81 and 88 to conductors 89, 90 and 9I respectively and thence to the circuit mains 61, 88 and 85 respectively whereas the closing of the switch D by energizing its winding 92 will reverse the field connection so that conductors 89, 84 and 85 are connected by the switch D to conductors 89, 90 and 9I respectively and thence to the circuit conductor mains in reverse order for reversely rotating the motor I5.

Each of the control switches NI, N-2, N--3 and S-I, S-2, S-3 has a corresponding coil operated switch NSI NS-2, NS-3 and SS-I, 83-2, 83-4 connected thereto from the switches by conductors 93, .94, 95 and 98, 91, 98 respec-' tively, all of the switches having a common conductor 99 leading from one of the mains 81 to one side thereof, and all of switches NS-I, NS-2, NS-3, SSI, SS-2, SS3 having a common conductor I00 leading from the other side of the respective coils to the other current supply main 85.

Switch NS--I closes a connection with a conductor IOI leading to the winding 880 of directional switch C; and switch SSI closes the connection through conductor I02 with the winding 92 of the opposite directional switch D. Switch NS-I is energized when control lever 20 is moved to close switch N-I which in turn closes the energizing circuit through the winding 88 of directional switch C.

It the control lever 23 is turned in the opposite direction, the directional switch D is similarly operated. This will cause the operation of the motor I5 with all of the starting resistances in circuit, thereby resulting in the starting or slow speed operation of the motor. If the lever 28 is sufllciently inclined to engage the next switch N-2, a circuit is closed through control switch NS-2 which will close a circuit through a conductor I 03 leading from the switch to the winding 15 of short circuiting switch A, the other side of the winding being connected by conductor I09 to conductor 99 and thence to circuit main 81. This will energiz switch A, short circuiting the starting resistances 102, "-2 and 12-2.

Continued operation of the lever 23 to engage contact switch N-'-3 will close the circuit through the winding of switch NS-3 which will then close a circuit through conductor I05 to one end of the winding 19 of short circuiting switch B, the other side of the winding being connected by conductor I04 with conductor 99 and thence to supply main 81. Operation of switch B will short circuit the first group of resistances 10l, 1I-I, and 12-4 whereupon all of the rotor resistances will be short circuited and the motor [5 will be operating at full speed.

The circuits closed in the operation of any one of the motors may be traced as follows: Assuming that the control lever 23 is moved to the left in Figure 5, to engage the first switch N-I, a circuit is closed from supply main 81 through conductor 99, switch NI, conductor 93, winding of switch NSI and conductor I00 to supply main 85; operation of switch NS-I will close a circuit from main 85, common conductor I00 through the switch NSI, conductor IOI, winding 88c of directional switch C, conductors 88 and 89 to supply main 81; operation of directional switch C will connect field con-- i ductors 83, 84 and 85 through switch conductors 88, 81, 88 and conductors 9|, 90 and 89 respectively to current supply mains 85, 88 and 81. This will cause excitationof the field windings 88 to operate the motor in the indicated north direction and at slow speed since the resistances of the rotor 89 are all in circuit.

Engagement by the operating lever 23 with th next operating switch N-2 will close a circuit from supply main 81 through common conductor 99, switch N-2, conductor 94 to winding of switch NS-2 and thence by conductor I00 to supply main 65; operation 01' switch NS-2 will close the circuit of supply main through conductor I00, switch NS2, conductor I03, winding 15 of short circuiting switch A, and thence through conductors I04 and 99 to supply main 81. Operation of switch A will short circuit resistances 102, 1I 2 and 12-2 by means of conductors 18, 11 and 18 which are connected to conductors 10, H and 12 respectively between the two groups of short circuiting resistances and through switch A to the common ground 14. Likewise a continuation of the movement of lever 23 will cause it to engage switch N3 which will close the circuit from current supply main 81, common conductor 99 through switch N4, conductor 95, winding of switch NS-3 to conductor I00 and thence to supply main 85.

Operation of switch NS-3 closes the circuit from supp y main 65 through conductor I39, switch NS-l, conductor I05, winding 19 of short circuitingswitch B, conductors I04 and 99 to the other current supply maln'fl.

Operationoi' the switch 3, short circuits the first group '01 resistances IIII, II-I and '|2I by means of conductors 80, 8| and 82 which are connected directly to conductors III, 1| and I2 respectively adjacent the slip ring connection with the rotor, and through the contacts of switch B directly to the common ground I 4. In this case, the slip rings are short circuited and the motor is operated at high speed. I

In the reverse movement or the operating lever 23, switch N3 is first opened which thereupon opens short circuiting switch B, placing the resistances 'IIJI, 1I-I and 'l2-I of the first group in connection with the slip ring conductors of the rotor 69, reversing the action above described and initially slowing the motor; opening of a next witch N2 deenergizes winding of speed control switch A which opens the shunts around the second group of resistances III-2, '|I--2 and 12-2, thereby inserting these resistances in the slip ring circuits, and eifecting the further slowing of the motor. When the last switch N-I is opened,'the winding of directional switch C is deenergized and the connections to the field conductors are opened, thereby cutting oiT all current to the motor.

When the lever'23 is turned in the opposite direction engaging the 8" push switches, the same procedure is repeated except that directional switch D reverses two of the field winding connections with the supply mains which causes the opposite excitation of the field winding, resulting in opposite direction of the rotor.

A similar operation of switches S2 and S-3 will energize the windings of switches A and B in a similar manner for speeding up the motor.

Each of the other motors I1 and is operated in exactly the same way by its control switches E-I, E-2, E-3 and W--I, W-2, W3, and motor D by its switches D I, D-2, D-3 and U-I, U2, U-3.

While the present invention is described as embodying slip ring alternating current motors, it will be understood that a similar control operated by switches similarly arranged and engaged in succession may be applied to direct current motors which are reversible in direction and in which the speed may b varied by change in resistance.

In operation, it is necessary only for the operator to move the control lever in the direction in which he wishes the crane to travel and the carriage to be positioned on the crane. If at the same time he wishes to raise or lower the hoisting hook, he may correspondingly raise or lower the lever so thatthe hook will actually be travelling in three dimensions, and in the same direction toward which the operating lever is inclined. If the lifting hook is positioned in the proper location, it may be raised and lowered and the speed increased or decreased as desired by s mply raising and lowering the lever to a greater or less extent. Likewise, the crane may be caused to travel upon its supporting rails or the carriage may be moved upon the crane independently of any other movement. For increased speed of travel in the same direction, the operator simply moves the control lever further in the same direction, thus increasing the speed of the motor. In the reverse movement of the lever from high of rotation speed, it will be noted that one group of resistances will be cut in and then the other group of resistances will be inserted to correspondingly reduce the speed of the motor, in a well known manner. For any combinations of movement, it will be noted that the contact sleeve of the operating lever 23 will make engagement with any two adjacent sets of switches at the same time so that bothof the motors for any area may be operated at high, intermediate or low speeds, or any combination thereof depending upon the direction and extent of inclination of the control lever. The extent of raising and lowering of the control lever is also independent of and may be coms bined with any movement 01' the lever in the other two dimensions.

Instead'ot providing an upright controllever and a unitary control casing as described, it may be desirable, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, to proe vide an overhead type of control in which an operators cage H9 maybe mounted as shown in Figure l, or in any other suitable manner. A controlling lever III is suspended from a top support H2 by means of a sleeve H3 in which it is g y slidable. The sleeve is mounted at its upper end" by a universal joint comprising a pivot Ill extending through a block II! which, in turn, is mounted upon a pivot H6 at right angles to the pivot II4 supported in a swivel bracket III attached to the top by a fastening bolt 8. The control lever III thus has a universal -swinging movement about the upper end or the sleeve H3 and is movable longitudinally therein against the tension of a spring II9 which is connected at its upper end to the block 5 and at its lower end to a projection I20 at the upper end of the lever.

Secured to the controlling lever III intermediate its ends is a sleeve fitting I2l having three universaljoints I22 for connecting it to rods I23 and I24 extending opposite to-each other and I25 at right angles thereto. These rods are slidable in sleeves I26, I21 and I28 respectively, each of which is pivoted to a corresponding gear sector I29, I30 and -I3I.

For each gear sector, there is a corresponding electrical controller casing for making and breaking electrical connections for circuits similar to those shown in the diagram, Figure 5, the particular form of the circuit closing mechanism being immaterial, the gear segment I29 meshing with a pinion I32 mounted on a shaft I33 in the E-W controller I35; the segment I30 meshing with a pinion I36 mounted on a shaft I 31 in the up and down controller I38; and the segment I3I meshing with a pinion I39 mounted on a shaft Nil in the N-S controller Ill.

With this construction, the operator, as before, moves the lever III in the direction in which he wishes the crane and the hoisting hook to travel and be moved.

If the operator, facing the operating lever III in Figure 7, wishes to move the crane hook to his left or in the direction north, the rod I23 slides into its sleeve I26 andthe rod I24 slides outwardly in its sleeve I2! without moving either the E--W or up and down controllers; but the lateral movement of the lever I II with respect to rod I25 swings the lever about its universal joint I22 and correspondingly inclines sleeve I 23,

thereby rocking gear I3I in a direction to rotate pinion I39 and thus to afiect the N-S controller I. The reverse. movement of the control lever in the opposite direction or to the right causes the opposite movement oi. the gear and shaft III in the 11-8 controller.

In the same manner, the E-W controller is operated in opposite directions it the lever III :is inclined toward and from the operator in the E-W directions as indicated at the top of Figure 6.

If the operator desires to elevate or lower the crane hook, he raises or lowers the control lever accordingly. If he wishes only to move the controller hook up or down, without affecting the other two controllers, the sleeves I26 and I28 may be inclined depending upon the raising or lowering movement of the control lever, but their connecting rods I23 and I25 respectively will simply slide in the corresponding sleeves. An up or down movement of the operating lever will cause the corresponding movement of sleeve I21 and also a corresponding turning movement of the pinion I35 and its shaft I31 in the up and down controller I38.

If the operator wishes to combine the operation of two or more of the motors which are operated by the controllers, it is necessarly only to move the control lever in the direction in which he wishes the crane and the crane hook to move, combining the operation of two controllers, or three controllers, as desired. The controlling circuits for each separate motor relating to each of the three control boxes is substantially the same as shown in the diagram, Figure 5, or any suitable arrangement for similarly operating three motors from the same current supply mains.

With these constructions, it is apparent that independent or combined control of three crane motors may be obtained responsive to the direction and magnitude of a single control lever deflection or movement. In this manner, a logical control of the speed and direction of crane hooks may thus be substituted for arbitrary and illogical crane control, making the controller operation almost as simple as a pointer. This shortens the time necessary for training an eiilcient crane operator and produces more reliable performance with a less skilled operator.

While this invention is described as applying particularly to the operation of a lifting crane, it is apparent that this control and operation may also be applied to any three directional control or three dimensional space operator which has three different motors.

The invention is therefore not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 1

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A crane controlling system for operating a lifting hook in three dimensions of space, comprising three separate reversible driving motors each for operating the hook in one of the respective dimensions, a single controlling member movable in three space dimensions, and reversing switch contacts with independent circuit connections for the motors each arranged to be actuated, operated and controlled by corresponding movement of the controlling member in one or more of said dimensions for respectively actuating any one, two, or all three of the motors at the same time.

2. A multiple motor controlling system for causing a resultant movement of an operating member in space, comprising three separate driving motors, one for moving the member in each of the corresponding three space dimensions respectively, a single controller for the three motors movable in any combination of the three space dimensions corresponding to the motors. and switch contacts with circuit connections for the motors operated and actuated by the controller for actuating any one, two, or all three of the motors to cause a movement of the operated member in the direction in which the controller is operated.

3. A multiple motor control system for operating a member in three dimensions of space, comprising a separate driving motor for operating the member in each of the space dimensions, switch contacts with circuit connections for each of the motors, a single controller also movable in any combination of the three space dimensions having means for engaging the switch contacts to operate the motors independently and in unison and additional switch contacts with speed controlling a circuit connections for each of the motors and arranged for operation by the controller for operating each of the motors at a speed proportional to the movement of the controller in that direction.

4. A multiple motor control system for operating a member in any one of the three dimensions of space, comprising a separate motor for operating the member in each respective space direction, switch contacts and speed controlling circuit connections for each motor for moving the member at diflerent speeds in the direction controlled by that motor, and a single controller having means to engage the switch contacts for each of the three motors and also movable in space in the actual direction in which the member is to be driven by any one or more of the motors.

5. A multiple motor controlling system for operating a member in three dimensions of space,

comprising three separate reversible driving motors, each operating the member to and fro in its corresponding different space dimension, switch contacts and circuit connections for each motor by which it operates the member to and fro in its corresponding space dimension, and a single controller movable in any combination of the three space dimensions in which it is desired to move the member having contact means for engaging the respective switch contacts of the diflerent motor circuits to effect the movement of the member in that direction.

6. A reversible motor controlling system for operating a member in any combination of the three dimensions of space, comprising three separate multiple speed reversible driving motors for operating the member in the three respective dimensions, switch contact and speed controlling circuit connections for each of the motors by which it is reversibly operated and controlled at different speeds in its respective space dimension, and a single controller movable to a greater or less extent in any of the three dimensions having contact means to engage the switch contacts of one, two, or all three of the operating motors, either independently or in conjunction to cause a motor driven movement of the member in the same direction in which the controller is moved and at a speed in any of the component directions dependent upon the proportion of the entire movement of the controller in that direction.

'7. A crane controlling system for operating a lifting hook in any one or more of the three dimensions of space, comprising three separate controller movable in any dimension and in any combination of the space dimensions to engage the switch contacts of one, two or all of the motors at the same time for driving the lifting hook in the same direction in which the controller is pointed, and the speed of the moto in any dimension being proportional to the amount of movement of the controller in that component of the direction.

8. In a crane controlling system for operating a lifting hook in any one of the three dimensions of space, comprising three separate driving motors, one for each respective space component, switch contacts with circuit and speed controlling connections for each motor for operating the motor in reverse directions and in the same directions at different speeds, and a controller movable in any dimension and combination of dimensions for engaging the switch contacts to drive the motor in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of movement of the controller, and to drive the motor at diiierent speeds depending upon the proportional movement of the controller in the direction in which it is moved.

9. In a crane controlling system, a lifting hook and a motor for raising and lowering the hook, a carriage in which the hook lifting mechanism is mounted and a motor for operating the carriage, a crane bridge in which the carriage is longitudinally movable and a motor-for moving the bridge transversely thereof, an operator's cage carried by the bridge, a controller having a sin- 'gle operating member projecting therefrom and rections with respect thereto, different sets of switch contacts in the controller with circuit connections and speed controlling circuit means for each of the three motors, the switch contacts being arranged in the controller for engagement by the operating member to operate each motor in either direction of rotation depending upon the movement of the member and at difierent speeds in either direction dependent upon the extent of movement or the member in that particular direction to move the hook in the same direction as that of the operating member.

10. In a controlling system for three separate motors, a set of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections'with speed controlling means for each motor, a single operating member and means mounting it for movement in any direction or combination of directions in three diilerent dimensions, one dimension for each set of switches, the switches of each set being arranged for successive engagement by said member moved in one dimension to start and vary the speed of the motor, and the switches of either or both of the other sets being arranged for successive engagement by said member in either or :both of the other dimensions independent of the first set of switches and jointly with the operation thereof.

11. In a controlling system for three separate motors, a single operating lever and means mounting it for swinging movement to and fro in one direction and in a direction at right angles thereto and at any angle between the two directions of its movement in either direction from a cenmovable in any direction and combination of ditral position and in directions at ri ht angles thereto, and means for operating the switches of the third set by the longitudinal movement of the operating member.

12. In a controlling system for three separate motors, a single operating member and means mounting it for swinging movementin opposite directions from a central position and in opposite directions at right angles thereto and at any angle therebetween and also for moving the lever longitudinally in opposite directions, a set of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections with speed controlling means for each motor, the switches being arranged in opposite sets for utilizing said speed controlling means to drive the motors at diflerent speeds in opposite directions, means for the swinging movement of the lever, means for the longitudinal movement of the lever, and resilient means tending to retain the lever normally in a neutral position in which none of the switches are operated.

13. In a controlling system for three motors, a single operating member and means mounting it for swinging movement in opposite directions about one end for swinging movement in opposite directions at-right angles thereto and at any angle therebetween and for longitudinal movement in opposite directions; sets of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections with speed controlling means for each motor, the electrical switches for each motor arranged for engagement by the lever depending upon the components of its movements in its three different operating directions, and the means for operating --the switches by the longitudinal movement of the lever comprising a bell crank having one arm moved by the lever in its longitudinal direction of movement and the other arm for engaging opposite sets of electrical switches for one of the motors depending upon the longitudinal movement of the lever.

14. In a crane controlling system for three separate motors, a single operating lever and means mounting it for swinging movement about one end in two. directions and at any angle therebetween, one direction at right angles to the other and the lever also being mounted for longitudinal movement, said means comprising a flexible diaphragm at the said end, a perforated plate spaced from the other end through which the lever extends for limiting the swinging movement of the lever from its central position, a spring pressed lever engaging the moimted end of the lever, and a set of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections with speed controlling means for each motor, the switches engaged by the operating lever and the spring pressed lever dependent" mensions at right angles to each other from a central position, means engaged by the lever in its endwise movement for operating the switches of one of the motors in either direction of rotation and at various speeds in each direction, the sleeve engaging two adjacent sets or electrical switches for controlling the direction and speed of the motors for the paths at right angles to each other independent of the direction and speed of the third motor.

16. In a controlling system for a plurality of motors, a set of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections with speed controlling means for each motor, a single operating member and means mounting it for movement in any direction or combination of directions of the three different space directions, one direction for each corresponding set of switches, the switches of each set being similar and arranged for engagement by the lever in succession at either side of a normal central position, the first switch closing an operating circuit to the motor depending upon the direction the lever is moved from its central position, and the second and third switches of the set engaged by the lever increasing the speed of the motor for the corresponding direction of rotation thereof, the sets of switches being actuated by the operating member only in proportion to that component of the composite direction in which it is moved.

17. In a controlling system for three separate motors, a set of electrical reversing switches and circuit connections with speed controlling means for each motor, a single operating lever and means mounting it for movement in space as defined by three different directions, one corresponding direction for each different motor, said mounting means comprising a flexible diaphragm at one end of the lever, a spring pressed lever engaging the operating lever at the diaphragm end tending to hold it in neutral position, one of the sets of electrical switches being arranged for operation by said spring pressed lever, means for limiting the movement of the free end of the spring pressed lever, and a set of centering springs connected to an outer fixed support and to the operating lever at a distance from the mounting end and tending to return the lever to a neutral central position both transversely and longitudinally of the lever.

18. In a motor controlling system of the class described, a controller casing for a plurality of sets of reversing switch contacts having circuit and speed controlling connections, a single operating member projecting from the controlling casing and movable universally in space as defined by opposite directions and longitudinally to engage the contacts and close the different circuit and speed controlling connections, and an arm rest on the casing adjacent the end of the operating member to engage the arm of an operator leaving the hand free and to give it leverage for moving the operating member in opposite directions and longitudinally.

MURRAY G. CLAY. 

